New Details Emerge in Agnes Tirop Murder Trial: Coach Reveals Affair, Witness Links Suspect to Escape Attempt
Testimonies revealed that Tirop may have been involved in an extramarital affair before her tragic death.
The late Kenyan Olympian Agnes Tirop/Courtesy
The Eldoret High Court heard new details yesterday regarding the murder of Agnes Tirop, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist in the 10,000 meters. Testimonies revealed that Tirop may have been involved in an extramarital affair before her tragic death.
Joseph Cheromei, Tirop’s longtime athletics coach, testified before Presiding Judge Robert Wanada, stating that he had been informed of the affair by Giani Demadona, Tirop’s Italian athletics manager. According to Cheromei, Demadona expressed concern for Tirop’s safety, revealing that she was romantically involved with a man known only as Mr. Sawe.
Cheromei, who coaches at the Iten Athletics Training Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet and serves as an agent for Demadona, recounted how the manager asked him to bring Tirop to the camp in June 2021. This request came amid concerns about her strained relationship with her estranged partner, Ibrahim Rotich, who lived near the camp. Tirop had been preparing for two significant races in Tokyo, Japan, and Valencia, Spain.
Cheromei was testifying in the ongoing trial where Ibrahim Rotich is the prime suspect, accused of killing Tirop on October 13, 2021, at their home on the outskirts of Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Rotich has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and is currently out on a Ksh 400,000 bond. He is being represented by veteran lawyer Ngigi Mbugua, while Tirop’s family is represented by Richard Warigi.
Tirop was murdered just days after returning to Kenya following her participation in the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed fifth in the 5000 meters.
Another witness, Miriam Rotich, a lecturer at Moi University and sister-in-law to the accused, testified that Ibrahim Rotich borrowed her car on October 12, a day before Tirop’s death. Miriam recalled that Ibrahim appeared unusually tense and was sweating profusely when he asked to use her vehicle for an errand in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. Despite lending him the car after consulting her husband, Cornelius Rotich, she was unable to reach Ibrahim later that day as his phone had been switched off.
The following day, October 13, Miriam learned about Tirop’s murder via breaking news on television. Realizing that Ibrahim might have used her car to flee after the alleged murder, she promptly reported the missing vehicle to the police in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County.
The trial has been adjourned until November 5, when three more witnesses are scheduled to testify.
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